Aug. 17 Event in New Orleans Will Be Crist’s First Keynote at Major Democratic Event Outside of Florida

“We are proud to welcome Governor Crist to the party of Thomas Jefferson, Andrew Jackson, Franklin D. Roosevelt, John F. Kennedy, Bill Clinton, Mary Landrieu and Barack Obama,” said Louisiana Democratic Party Chair Karen Carter Peterson. “We are a big-tent party, with room for a diversity of opinions on many issues, and Governor Crist’s pragmatic populism is directly in line with the traditions of the Louisiana Democratic Party.

“This will be the first time Governor Crist will be keynoting a high-profile Democratic event outside of Florida, and we are thrilled that he chose Louisiana to make his debut.”

“I didn’t leave the Republican Party; it left me. Then again, my friend Jeb Bush recently noted, Reagan himself would have been too moderate, too reasonable for today’s GOP.”

Crist officially became a Democrat in December 2012. While he served as governor of Florida, Crist was a strong advocate for higher pay for teachers, which was a top priority for Louisiana Democrats in the just-ended legislative session. Crist also fought for legislation to restore voting rights to ex-felons. In addition, Crist has announced his support for marriage equality and backed expanding access to Medicaid health insurance.

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A media availability will be held at 5:30 p.m. on the third floor of the Hilton New Orleans Riverside. Reporters should request credentials at the Media Check-In, next to the Will Call area, for information and directions to the media availability. Members of the news media should RSVP to Kirstin Alvanitakis at kirstin@lademo.org to be added to the credentials list.